By Meshack M. Ngangi, MPRSK | September 22, 2025
In line with the Strategic Plan 2022–2027 and specifically the fifth key result area on customer centricity and brand visibility, The Co-operative University of Kenya (CUK) strengthened its presence in Machakos County from 20th to 22nd September 2025 through a targeted series of career talks and marketing activations. Invited to Mumbuni Boys High School on 20th September, Kathiani Boys High School on 21st September and A.C.K.General Mulinge Secondary School on 22nd September. CUK used these engagements to guide senior secondary learners as they considered higher-education pathways. Each session was expected to attract over 1,000 students and parents, creating an important opportunity to present CUK’s diploma and degree programmes, explain entry requirements, outline career prospects and describe the range of student support services available.
Beyond the scheduled talks, CUK’s outreach team carried out marketing activities at Mumbuni Boys’ High School, Kathiani Boys’ High School and A.B.C. General Mulinge Secondary School, reaching a cumulative cohort of roughly 1,200 Form Four candidates preparing for the 2025 KCSE examinations. The activations combined group presentations with individual conversations, allowing university representatives to address specific questions about financing, internships and programme suitability. A notable outcome of the visit to Mumbuni Boys’ High School was a one-to-one meeting with the school principal, Mr Peter M. Kilonzo, during which the team discussed ways CUK can support career guidance, facilitate student transitions to higher education and collaborate on follow-up activities.
These activities directly support CUK’s strategic objective to deepen community engagement and increase brand visibility. By meeting learners and parents in their schools, the University provided practical, timely advice at a critical decision point in students’ academic journeys and strengthened trust among local stakeholders. The events also served as a recruitment platform, enabling the Admissions and Outreach team to build relationships with prospective students and to gather insights on the information and resources learners need as they prepare for national examinations.
CUK is also progressing discussions with the Office of the Governor to partner with the local SACCOs . This collaboration aims to explore scholarship and financing mechanisms, internships and employment linkages that align CUK’s academic offerings with county-led cooperative initiatives. Working with county authorities and SACCOs will expand options for student support and help create clearer pathways from study to work, particularly for learners from underserved communities.
The Machakos engagement delivered multiple tangible benefits: face-to-face guidance for students and parents, strengthened ties with school leadership, and fresh partnership opportunities with county government and cooperative organizations. These outcomes will inform follow-up outreach and targeted recruitment activities in the county, and they reinforce the University’s commitment to customer-centred engagement that promotes access, affordability and employability.
